A 69.9 kg ice skater moving to the right with
a velocity of 2.34 m/s throws a 0.153 kg snowball to the right with a velocity of 30.8 m/s
relative to the ground.
A second skater initially at rest with a mass
of 66.8 kg catches the snowball.
What is the velocity of the second skater
after catching the snowball in a perfectly inelastic collision?
Answer in units of m/s

Question

A 69.9 kg ice skater moving to the right with
a velocity of 2.34 m/s throws a 0.153 kg snowball to the right with a velocity of 30.8 m/s
relative to the ground.
A second skater initially at rest with a mass
of 66.8 kg catches the snowball.
What is the velocity of the second skater
after catching the snowball in a perfectly inelastic collision?
Answer in units of m/s

anonymous · Answer

any idea?

anonymous · Answer

The momentum of the snowball must be conserved after the stationary skater catches it. That is$$p_{skater} +p_{ball} = p'_{skater} + p'_{ball}$$ where the apostraphe indicates the momentum after the snowball is caught. 

The skater is stationary initially, therefore it has zero momentum. The ball is caught by the skater, therefore, both the ball and skater will have the same final velocity. Therefore, we can obtain the following expression$$m_b v_b = (m_b + m_s) v'$$v' will be the velocity of the skater after he catches the ball.

anonymous · Answer

so that .153(30.8)=(.153+66.8)V?

anonymous · Answer

Yep

anonymous · Answer

thx  can you help me with two more questions?

anonymous · Answer

Sure. Post them as separate questions, and I'll take a look at them.

anonymous · Answer

okay

anonymous · Answer

eh